Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

(i)            With great sadness, the sudden death of Daniel Davies, son of Councillor Gareth Davies and Mrs Julie Davies and brother of Angharad was reported. Sincere condolences were extended to the family.

A minute’s silence was observed in his memory.

(ii)          Congratulations were extended to the Reverend Andy John, Bishop of Bangor, on his appointment as Archbishop of Wales.

(iii)         Today is a celebration of Welsh Language Rights Day and the Leader urged all to communicate and use the Council’s services in Welsh as well as in English.

(iv)         Councillor Euros Davies was congratulated on his success in exhibiting a pair of Llanwenog lambs at the recent Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s Winter Fair. Congratulations were also extended to all Ceredigion Young Farmers Club members who took part in the event.

There were no disclosures of personal and/or prejudicial interests.

The Leader provided an update on the Covid-19 situation. A further 35 positive cases have been reported today culminating in a total of 6670 since the beginning of the pandemic. This equates to 251.1 per 100,000 of the population in Ceredigion, with 183 positive cases reported in the last seven days. Per area figures per 100,000 population as of 2^nd December 2021 are as follows:

Cardigan & Aberporth 247.8;

Beulah, Troedyraur & Llandysul 351.8;

New Quay & Penybryn 136.9;

Lampeter & Llanfihangel Ystrad 291.2;

Aberaeron & Llanrhystud  211.4;

Rheidol, Ystwyth & Caron 450.4;

South Aberystwyth 313.8;

North Aberystwyth 147.1;

Borth & Bontgoch  94.1.

Figures appear to be climbing again as in most areas of Wales with the majority of cases mainly in 12 – 19 year olds. Due to the number of staff and pupils receiving positive results, Dyffryn Cledlyn School has returned to providing lessons online this week. Bro Teifi and Bro Pedr schools are also undergoing staffing problems.

Council services continue as usual. The Click and Collect system remains in the county’s libraries. The Leisure Centres in Cardigan and Aberystwyth will reopen as soon as remedial work are complete.

The Leader noted that there are currently no plans nationally to close schools before the end of term.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the previous Meeting of the Cabinet held on 2 November 2021.

Matters arising: Councillor Keith Evans wished it to be noted in the minutes that he had apologised for not being able to attend the meeting.

Llewod Llanbed says ‘Save our Sports Hall’

It was noted that the above petition had been received and would be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines in the Petitions Protocol

None.

See decision 135.

(i) To confirm the nominations outlined in the report as LA representatives on the Governing Bodies of the relevant School.

Reason for decision:

To nominate representatives of the LA on Governing Bodies.

(i) To approve the Council Tax Base as set out in the appendices to the report; and

(ii) To approve the proposed schedule of instalments as recommended under item 4 of the report.

Reason for decision:

Legal requirement.

(i) To approve an updated 2021/22 Capital Programme of £26.484m as set out in Appendix A of the report

(ii) To note the performance in the Capital Monitoring Report as set out in Appendix B of the report.

Reason for decision:

To update the 2021/22 Capital Programme.

(i) To approve the Dignity at Work Model Policy and Procedure for Schools and to commend to Governing Bodies for adoption within schools in Ceredigion.

(ii) To approve the Managing Staff Sickness at Work Model Policy and Procedure for Schools and to commend to Governing Bodies for adoption within schools in Ceredigion.

(iii) To note the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for decision:

(i) To provide a safe, healthy and productive work environment free from harassment, bullying and victimisation across schools in Ceredigion.

(ii) To provide support and promote a healthy workforce that is vital to the success of our pupils.

(i) It was agreed to defer the item and to refer it back to the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee for further consideration, and be presented to a future Cabinet meeting.

Reason for decision:

To provide time for further consideration.

(a) To grant delegated authority  to the Chief Executive’s (in consultation with the Leader) to enter into dialogue within the respective authorities (Powys County Council & Brecon Beacons National Park Authority) to develop proposals for establishing the Mid Wales CJC;

(b) To authorise Officers to:

i) establish the work streams needed to progress the establishment and development of the Mid Wales CJC, and

ii) work with Powys County Council & Brecon Beacons National Park Authority to develop proposals for establishing the Mid Wales CJC.

Reason for decision:

1. To enable establishment of a CJC in the Mid Wales region as required in Part 5 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

2. Ensure compliance with legislation.

3. Ensure that appropriate governance arrangements are in place.

(i) To approve the establishment of a small group home at a mid county location for the purpose of providing Ceredigion children with a safe haven within Ceredigion and to consider a strategy to develop further similar options north and south of the county.

(ii) To approve that officers submit funding bids to the regional safe accommodation ICF capital and revenue scheme.

(iii) To approve the use of the Council’s corporate funds in order to establish and maintain the proposed provision.

(iv) That there will be further consultation through the planning process.

(v) To note that, pending the outcome of the above proposal, necessary alternative temporary care arrangements made on an emergency basis for any child will require officers to take action to comply with the regulatory and legislative requirements.

Reason for decision:

In order to progress the provision of suitable care and support services for children and families in Ceredigion.

(i) To approve advertising the proposal to members of the public, and should no objections be received, the making of the necessary Traffic Regulation Order and the publication of a subsequent Notice of Making in the press to this effect.

Reason for decision:

To prevent damage to public highway, a bridge, and private property.

(i)             Cabinet noted the report

(i)             Cabinet noted the report.

(i)             Cabinet noted the report.

The report relating to item 143 is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 13 and 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves  to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Decision

It was agreed to exclude the press and public from the meeting following the next agenda item, 144.

Cabinet noted the report in relation to decision 138.

i.              Councillor Catrin Miles, Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Support and Intervention, stated that the current school term ends on 22 December 2021 and that schools will reopen on 5 January 2022.

ii.            The Leader advised all to take care in the imminent storm ‘Barra’. She wished all Highways staff well during the next few days and thanked them for their work.